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Azure

Following her acclaimed debut "More Than You Know" (Brownstone), vocalist Maggie Galloway once again presents heartfelt, finely-wrought renditions of standards and Americana, this time in a deeply intimate trio setting.

ABOUT THIS ALBUM

Album Notes

On AZURE, following her acclaimed debut "More Than You Know" (Brownstone), vocalist Maggie Galloway once again presents heartfelt, finely-wrought renditions of standards and Americana, this time in a deeply intimate trio alongside guitarist Anthony Weller and bassist Bob Nieske.

"Her repertory takes us through the realms of thoughtful jazz and into pure inventiveness, but always with a musicality and richness of feeling that carries deep respect for the nature of the text and its meaning. To hear her is an expedition into lyricism," writes poet Peter Davison.

From start to finish, AZURE is suffused with a profound mood of reflection-the sense of someone exploring a new phase in her musical and personal life. Composers such as Gershwin and Porter (I Loves You Porgy and Every Time We Say Goodbye) are balanced by Ellington's prayer Come Sunday, his more familiar Sophisticated Lady (given new life as a duet with bass), and the obscure, haunting Azure (a classical guitar duet, like Luiz Bonfá's The Gentle Rain).

Alec Wilder's rarely-recorded ballad Blackberry Winter glows especially bright, with its cathartic yet strengthening lyrics. Here, too, are the neglected Autumn Nocturne, and the American folk song Wayfaring Stranger, heard in a treatment of unusual power and majesty. The trio's special ability to dream as a detailed ensemble soars in Steve Kuhn's Tomorrow's Son (recorded by the pianist with singer Sheila Jordan in the 1970s).

"The tunes I sing have to do with my age and where I am in life. There was a time when I couldn't sing some of them," Maggie says. "Now I pick songs that I've lived, with lyrics I really understand. The love of music-all music-motivates me more than anything else."

A professional singer since 1976, Maggie Galloway has been performing around New England for more than two decades, as well as throughout the rest of the U.S., the Caribbean, Asia, and South Africa. Both her supporting musicians have played beside her for years. Jazz and classical guitarist Anthony Weller works frequently with trumpeter Herb Pomeroy, and has recorded with violinist Stéphane Grappelli. Bassist Bob Nieske is Jazz Artist in Residence at Brandeis University and an accomplished composer; for twelve years he toured the world with Jimmy Giuffre's quartet.

"The classic songs of American jazz have been covered so many times that it takes an exceptional singer to make them come alive. Maggie Galloway is such a songstress." - The Boston Globe

Exquisite and delightful - both words can be used to describe Maggie Galloway's latest effort.

Her previous CD “More Than You Know” was a straight-ahead, great American songbook

album with the standard piano trio accompaniment. This new CD takes Miss Galloway on a completely different path with the bare-bones accompaniment of Bob Nieske (bass) and Anthony Weller (guitar). It is a setting that would make almost any singer sound good, it takes Maggie Galloway close to greatness.

The choice of material for the most part is masterful. The opening track “Wayfaring Stranger” is perfectly suited to Maggie's sensitive singing, and she is at her most hauntingly poignant. I do not own many versions of this particular song but for now this interpretation is my new reference. Another gem is Alec Wilder's “Blackberry Winter”, the near perfect marriage of folk and jazz. Other highlights are Ellington's “Come Sunday” and a lovely rendition of Cole Porter's “Every Time We Say Goodbye”.

The musicians are first class; Weller is a very lyrical, classically-influenced but agile guitar player.

Nieske's contribution is what anchors the group, and even gives the folk orientated tunes the “jazz feel”. But, at the end of the day what really impresses me is the completely honest, unpretentious and sensitive singing of Maggie Galloway, not forgetting her uniquely warm and beautiful voice.

Is it the perfect CD??? Maybe a greater variation of pace and emotional temperature would have made it a little more exiting but this believe me is a minor quibble. If you are in a pensive mood, wanting to listen to quiet, well sang and played music you cannot do much better. It’s been doing the rounds in my CD player on many occasions and will definitely find a place in my top 10 jazz vocal CDs of 2004.

Maggie's debut, MORE THAN YOU KNOW, is a real fave of mine, and I have to admit it took a little while to adjust to this new one. This is a true trio album, with guitarist Anthony Weller & bassist Bob Nieske really as important as MG.
And they are excellent IMO. Some really interesting approaches & virtuoso
playing-- if understated. Galloway is somewhat more 'soulful' on this album; these are very thoughtful renditions, somewhat akin to Sarah
Vaughn's small group work, if with also a bit of folk feel. My favorites I
think are "Blackberry Winter" (a touch of folk in the jazz-- I think Alec Wilder would approve!), Porter's "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye," lovely & not as 'dour' as many renditions, if still poignant; and a very interesting take on the rarely
done "Tomorrow's Son" by Steve Kuhn-- less rhapsodic/nostalgic than Sheila Jordan, but equally strong (& that's saying something!). A lovely album all
together which I at least have found grows with each listen.